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Is it common for people to never truly know what they want to do with their lives?
I was never really onboard with doing something, my interests change gradually over time, and I don't know what I want to do for long term. #Career
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Jason’s Answer
Hi Randy,
While I don't have the statistics at hand I can say definitively that yes, many people do not know what they want to do with their lives. There are some fortunate people who have a particular passion that they follow throughout their lives and an even smaller group that can turn their passion into a career. Most people however do not. As you stated, interests change and evolve over time and being too locked into one particular path that does not, or no longer, inspires you is never a good thing. I would suggest that for most people, a job/career is not necessarily what people ultimately want to do, but rather gives them the means to pursue their interests (evolving or otherwise) outside of work. Be careful not to fall into the trap of defining yourself by a job, title, or degree. A job is what you "do", not who you "are". What you are is where your heart is. What are your passions, interests and fascinations? These will be the things that you pursue throughout your life and yes they can and often change over time. If you can find a job/career that fits into these things that is great, but you are not a failure if you (like most people) pursue greater interests outside of your employment. Best of luck!
While I don't have the statistics at hand I can say definitively that yes, many people do not know what they want to do with their lives. There are some fortunate people who have a particular passion that they follow throughout their lives and an even smaller group that can turn their passion into a career. Most people however do not. As you stated, interests change and evolve over time and being too locked into one particular path that does not, or no longer, inspires you is never a good thing. I would suggest that for most people, a job/career is not necessarily what people ultimately want to do, but rather gives them the means to pursue their interests (evolving or otherwise) outside of work. Be careful not to fall into the trap of defining yourself by a job, title, or degree. A job is what you "do", not who you "are". What you are is where your heart is. What are your passions, interests and fascinations? These will be the things that you pursue throughout your life and yes they can and often change over time. If you can find a job/career that fits into these things that is great, but you are not a failure if you (like most people) pursue greater interests outside of your employment. Best of luck!
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N’s Answer
Let me just start off by saying you don't have to know right away.
When I graduated from high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. As a matter of fact, my parents chose a major for me (Industrial Engineering), based on my grades and what I seemed to be good at and I just went for it, because I had nothing else in mind. After one year in college, being in the types of classes an engineer would need to take, and having an "Intro to Industrial Engineering" class, helped me understand that it wasn't for me. So thankfully, if you go to college and come in undecided that first year, you can use that year to figure out what classes you like best, and what other you do not. You can then go ahead and sit with the university advisor and discuss options . You can transfer your first year's credits to become your electives for example, if you decide to change majors, that way the first year does not go to waste, and you can then focus on the new major you decide to pursue. I also suggest using that first year to meet as many people and discuss their majors, what types of classes those are, what that would involve, and then you never know, you may find your perfect match just based on one conversation with one person :)
When I graduated from high school, I had no idea what I wanted to do. As a matter of fact, my parents chose a major for me (Industrial Engineering), based on my grades and what I seemed to be good at and I just went for it, because I had nothing else in mind. After one year in college, being in the types of classes an engineer would need to take, and having an "Intro to Industrial Engineering" class, helped me understand that it wasn't for me. So thankfully, if you go to college and come in undecided that first year, you can use that year to figure out what classes you like best, and what other you do not. You can then go ahead and sit with the university advisor and discuss options . You can transfer your first year's credits to become your electives for example, if you decide to change majors, that way the first year does not go to waste, and you can then focus on the new major you decide to pursue. I also suggest using that first year to meet as many people and discuss their majors, what types of classes those are, what that would involve, and then you never know, you may find your perfect match just based on one conversation with one person :)
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
Hi Randy,
Honestly, yes! There is a lot of pressure on you when you are in high school, or recently graduated to figure out what you want or should be doing with your life. I know our likes and dislikes change over time which makes it even harder to decide a solid career path. Although I love what I do and am very happy with what I chose to study in school, knowing what I know now, I probably would have chosen a different field of study. BUT, what I can do to satisfy that need is to volunteer in my local community. Therefore, I am able to continue in my career which I love and also volunteer my time to fullfill that other want of mine. For you, I would try and get involved in a variety of different ways, whether that is volunteering, job shadowing or just reading about different careers online. This will at least help you to rule out some areas you don't see yourself pursuing and then you can focus your time and attention on some of the other things you are interested in.
Honestly, yes! There is a lot of pressure on you when you are in high school, or recently graduated to figure out what you want or should be doing with your life. I know our likes and dislikes change over time which makes it even harder to decide a solid career path. Although I love what I do and am very happy with what I chose to study in school, knowing what I know now, I probably would have chosen a different field of study. BUT, what I can do to satisfy that need is to volunteer in my local community. Therefore, I am able to continue in my career which I love and also volunteer my time to fullfill that other want of mine. For you, I would try and get involved in a variety of different ways, whether that is volunteering, job shadowing or just reading about different careers online. This will at least help you to rule out some areas you don't see yourself pursuing and then you can focus your time and attention on some of the other things you are interested in.
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Teresa’s Answer
Hi Randy
I also agree that it's common for not to know what they really want to do with their life, especially when starting out after school. What was helpful for me was to focus on types of things I like to do and focus on those aspects when looking for work. For example, working with people is big for me, so I was sure that roles I selected offered this type of work.
I also have done a variety of roles in my career, since, as you also noted, interests change along the way. As my interests evolved, I explored different roles within a company or outside of an organization or via volunteering to be able to spend time on the things I'm passionate about. Best of luck!
I also agree that it's common for not to know what they really want to do with their life, especially when starting out after school. What was helpful for me was to focus on types of things I like to do and focus on those aspects when looking for work. For example, working with people is big for me, so I was sure that roles I selected offered this type of work.
I also have done a variety of roles in my career, since, as you also noted, interests change along the way. As my interests evolved, I explored different roles within a company or outside of an organization or via volunteering to be able to spend time on the things I'm passionate about. Best of luck!